Northern Colorado Splits Big Sky Opening Doubleheader with Sacramento State

Friday, March 27

Greeley, Colo.

2 p.m. MDT

University of Northern Colorado

15-18, 1-0

Sacramento State

21-12, 0-1

Sacramento St.

Northern Colo.

Hayden Nelson & Anna Wilming Meeting in the Circle

Photo by: Kassidy Schwartz, UNC Athletics

3/27/2026 8:17:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Brooke Richards, Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. — Northern Colorado opened Big Sky Conference play Friday at Gloria Rodriguez Field, splitting a doubleheader against Sacramento State. The Bears took game one, 8-5, before falling 10-2 in the nightcap.

GAME ONE: Northern Colorado 8, Sacramento State 5
Northern Colorado jumped out early and never looked back in the opener, using a four-run first inning to set the tone. Hayden Nelson led the offensive surge with two home runs and five RBIs, including a three-run shot in the first inning that flipped an early deficit into a 4-1 lead.

The Bears added three more runs in the third, highlighted by Nelson's second homer of the game and a solo shot from Jazzy Longo, extending the lead to 7-2.

KK Christie recorded a pair of doubles, while Amailee Morales and Ella Gonzales each added two hits as Northern Colorado finished with 12 hits on the afternoon.

In the circle, Anna Wilming tossed a complete game to earn her seventh win of the season, allowing five runs on seven hits while working through late pressure from the Hornets.

GAME TWO: Sacramento State 10, Northern Colorado 2
Sacramento State responded in game two, scoring four runs in the first inning and adding two more in the second to take control early. The Hornets totaled 14 hits in the contest and never trailed.

Lafulafu Malepeai led Sacramento State with three hits and three RBIs, including a two-run home run, while multiple Hornets recorded multi-hit performances.

Northern Colorado broke through in the fourth inning with two runs, including an RBI single from Baylie Kakallis and another run scoring on an error, but the Bears were limited to five hits overall.

Grace Algrim took the loss after allowing six runs in the first inning, while Ellyse Hydock provided relief, tossing six innings and allowing four runs.

The Bears and Hornets will play tomorrow at 12 p.m. MT.

Rally Starters Club: The Rally Starters Club is essential to the success of UNC Softball, providing enhanced training resources, advanced technology, and competitive travel opportunities that help the Bears compete at the highest level. These investments directly enrich the student-athlete experience and ensure the team is equipped to excel on and off the field.

Give to the Rally Starters Club today!

FOLLOW THE BEARS: For the latest news and updates on Northern Colorado Softball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @UNC_BearsSB, and on Facebook at /UNCBearsSB.